Home Remedy for Chronic Heartburn

Heartburn, also known as indigestion, can occur due to a variety of causes. It could be stress, genetics, eating and drinking too fast, being overweight, or having a high-fat diet. There are plenty of over-the-counter and prescription drugs on the market, but there are plenty of home remedies that do not have side effects.

Ginger Root

• Ginger root helps the digestion process and is used in many recipes to prevent heartburn. Think about ginger ale: it is used to settle upset stomachs. This herb has a long history in helping those with digestive disorders. Ginger can be found in several forms. Ginger root capsules can be found in health food stores and used as a remedy anytime acid reflux or heartburn strikes. It can also be used for ginger tea, which is spicy but soothing. Last, grated ginger may be used in all kinds of cooking dishes from chicken and pasta to desserts and pastries.

Mint Tea

• Mint is a soothing herb when used in the form of tea. Once heartburn strikes, mint tea can have a very medicinal effect on the pain. It is important to note that mint is only good when used in tea. Other forms of mints such as gum, peppermints, candy, or oil can be problematic for acid reflux. Mint tea can alleviate pain initially, but should only be used for the short term. It stimulates acid production in the stomach and can make heartburn symptoms worse if used for a long period.

Baking Soda

• Mix 1 tsp. of baking soda into a cup of water for instant heartburn relief. Immediately after consumption, baking soda will neutralize acids and get rid of pain. As effective as this home remedy is, it has a couple of drawbacks. It has an unpleasant, bitter taste. Consume it as quickly as possible. The second drawback is that gas will be released from the acid buildup, causing loud burps.

Lifestyle

• Diet may be the No. 1 cause of most heartburn issues. Eating too fast can cause acid reflux, so the remedy may simply be to slow down when you eat. Another problem is diets high in fats, particularly saturated fats. Eat a balanced diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean sources of meat like poultry and fish to avoid heartburn.

  Alcohol and smoking are linked to heartburn as well. If you engage in excessive amounts of either, this may be the sole problem and home remedies may not be necessary after these substances are avoided.

  Finally, genetics may be the only reason, or contribute a great deal to heartburn problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers have concluded that family history is a major independent risk factor for heartburn and acid reflux.